The SGA elections are happening this week, and there will be seven senator-at-large candidates for students to vote for in addition to the other senate seats.
The Scribe reached out to the senator-at-large candidates via email. They spoke about their platform, their experience and why they deserve to be a part of SGA.
Senator-at-large candidate Carson Hodges (he/him)
Hodges is a junior majoring in physics with a minor in mathematics. He is currently the Senator of Public Affairs.
Why are you running for this position?
I am running for senator-at-large because it opens up my opportunities to branch out and be more involved with projects and to let me focus more on my committee positions. These changes will allow me to better represent the whole of UCCS in my decisions.
Why do you think you’re fit for this position?
I have several years of experience in student government, including four years as class president at my high school and my year as the Senator of Public Affairs. In addition, I hold myself to be a reliable worker and keep true to my commitments, including committee and senate meetings, where I will make consistent efforts to represent the interests of students as my first and highest priority.
What are your goals for this position?
My firmest opinion of the student government association is that we are an organization that is entirely made possible by students and should always be operating in the best interest of students. Because of this, my main goal for this position is to make sure that every decision — regarding both my personal decisions and those of the whole SGA — is primarily based upon the fact that students should benefit from it.
Any final comment for the UCCS community or thoughts on the election
I encourage all students not to just vote in the election, but to put in the time to research all of the candidates and to make their own decisions based on how they feel, not to just listen to who their friends or coworkers are voting for. It is crucial to any democratic process that each person votes for who or what they truly believe in.
Senator-at-large candidate Brooke Anderson (she/her)
Anderson is a senior majoring in political science. She is currently a senator-at-large.
Why are you running for this position?
I am currently running for senator-at-large again because I want to continue to help UCCS students as a whole.
Why do you think you’re fit for this position?
I think I’m fit for this position because not only do I have experience from the previous year I have been in SGA, but I also love helping others in any way I can; I am also a determined and hardworking individual who is ready for any new challenges that come my way, and I am not afraid to stand up for others and for what I believe in.
What are your goals for this position?
My goals for this position are to continue to defend the students of UCCS and be a voice for them in the senate.
Any final comments for the UCCS community or thoughts on the election?
I will continue to stand up for the students on campus and put them and their needs on a pedestal.
Senator-at-large candidate Jaylee Hepner (she/her)
Hepner is a sophomore majoring in anthropology and history and minoring in prelaw. She is the vice president of the UCCS Mock Trial Team and aims to become the club president next year.
Why are you running for this position?
Anthropology is often forgotten about in this school; I want to make sure the representation is there for my fellow students. But I also know it’s not just anthropology, there’s a lot of other forgotten majors at UCCS, and I also want to ensure they have a person who they can come to for representation.
I want inclusion for those majors that aren’t super popular, and I want them to become a community … I want to extend the hand from student to administration and make it easier for students to join clubs. I want UCCS to be a community!
Why do you think you’re fit for this position?
I am in several leadership roles among various clubs in UCCS, so I would love to also represent them within government, and it shows that I naturally can lead people — these clubs being Mock Trial, History Club and Anthropology Club. It is something I love to do, and I want to spark change in people. I am also in honors, and I have attended several leadership roles which have helped me become a better leader.
What are your goals for this position?
My goals are to get more majors included in student government, make a community at UCCS, provide more outreach from staff to students and make it easier to join clubs.
Any final comments for the UCCS community or thoughts on the election?
I just ask that people go out and vote!
Senator-at-large candidate Jayden Tucker (they/them)
Tucker is a freshman majoring in criminal justice and psychology with a minor in prelaw. They have previously served as a senator in their high school’s student government.
Why are you running for this position?
I am running for this position in hopes that I can help make this campus a more welcoming and accessible place for all students.
Why do you think you’re fit for this position?
I have held a position like this in high school, and I also have many leadership roles here on campus as well. I feel like these will help me take this position head on and be successful.
What are your goals for this position?
My goals for this position are to help students who need better ADA accommodations along with accessibility around campus. I also really want to improve the community here on campus.
Senator-at-large candidate Emmanuella Appiah (she/her)
Appiah is a freshman majoring in computer science on the cybersecurity track and minoring in entrepreneurship. She currently serves as the treasurer of the African Student Association.
Why are you running for this position?
I am running for this position because I want to represent the voices of other students and advocate for students. I feel there are many areas where there needs to be an improvement on campus. I want to be a part of making a change. I feel being directly involved in SGA is the best way for me to make an impact and make sure the student’s needs are being met.
Why do you think you’re fit for this position?
I believe I am fit for this position because I am familiar with leadership. I have held many leadership roles in high school and currently, I am serving as the treasurer of the African Student Association.
I am also heavily involved in other clubs on campus, I believe this allows me to get to know different people and make sure their voices are heard. I can provide a diverse perspective that may not always be represented on campus.
What are your goals for this position?
My goal for this position is to improve the community at UCCS. I think many students feel a lack of belonging on campus, and I want to work toward addressing and fixing that issue.
Senator-at-large candidate Syneed Ayman (he/him)
Ayman is a freshman majoring in electrical engineering. He is an Eagle Scout with past experience in management and organization.
Why are you running for this position?
I am running for this position because I have seen a lack of representation of the international student body on campus, so I decided to step up.
Why do you think you’re fit for this position?
As the only international student candidate, I believe I can be a good representative of the international student population on campus by being their voice in the student government council.
What are your goals for this position?
For now, my goal is to represent my fellow international students and voice their opinions and concerns. In the long run, I plan to implement some policies depending on the resources made available to me to make campus life more interactive for the student body as a whole.
Any final comments for the UCCS community or thoughts on the election?
I have faith in this election as every candidate looks extremely promising. I believe no outcome of this election will disappoint me.